Mittleider Gardening System: Growing Potatoes Pt.1 & Why Potato Towers FAIL

This is part one of preparing and planting my fall potato harvest and why I thing potato towers don't work.

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "Mittleider Gardening System: Growing Potatoes Pt.1 & Why Potato Towers FAIL" by Blossom Flower Delivery

Key insights about video Mittleider Gardening System: Growing Potatoes Pt.1 & Why Potato Towers FAIL

🌱 The video is from a channel focused on cost-effective preparedness, and the host is planting Irish Cobbler certified seed potatoes, which are early maturing and medium-sized.

🌿 The host bought heavily sprouted potatoes at half price, indicating that deals can be found for those willing to work with less-than-perfect seed stock.

📚 Extensive research on potato cultivation techniques has been done by the host, including the mid-later gardening method and observations from the Kenosha Potato Project.

🍃 Success in growing potatoes depends heavily on the variety, as heirloom types differ significantly from common commercial varieties in terms of growth patterns.

🌞 The process of photosynthesis is crucial for potato growth; the host emphasizes that ample sunlight and healthy foliage above ground lead to larger, more plentiful potato yields below ground.

🧐 There is a debate on whether to cut seed potatoes or plant them whole, with the conclusion that cutting seed potatoes saves on seed cost without greatly affecting the yield.

💡 Planting one eye per hole is preferred to maximize the number of potatoes in the ground, based on observed harvests showing little difference between using one or two eyes per hole.

🌦 Proper timing and technique when covering potato vines with soil is important, as burying them too late or with too much soil can hinder the plant's ability to develop tubers from that part of the vine.

🥔 The condition of the seed potatoes upon planting, including the presence of healthy eyes and sprouts, is critical, with damage to sprouts potentially leading to a lack of growth.

💧 Potatoes prefer moist and cool soil conditions, but can still grow outside of these ideal settings, though possibly not as well.

Timestamped Summary

00:08 Introduction to the video on planting potatoes by Frugal Prepper.

00:30 Discussion about the type of potatoes being planted: Irish Cobbler Certified Seed Potatoes.

01:00 Explanation of the mid-lighter gardening method for planting potatoes.

01:19 Reference to the Kenosha Potato Project and observations on heirloom varieties' growth patterns.

02:08 Explanation about common commercial potato varieties and their growth preferences.

02:45 Explanation of how potato plants grow and the importance of photosynthesis for potato development.

03:56 Importance of sufficient light and foliage for successful potato growth.

05:21 Explanation of why methods like potato towers often fail to produce bountiful harvests.

06:01 Tips on whether or not to cure cut potatoes before planting.

06:27 Timing for planting potatoes and dealing with dormancy.

08:02 The process of preparing the planting bed with sand and peat moss along with the necessary nutrients.

09:47 Explanation of why the foliage of the potato plants is crucial for growth.

10:24 Mention of other important factors for growing potatoes: soil temperature and moisture content.

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Q&A

Where did the frugal prepper buy their potato seeds from?

They bought them from a place called Rainbow Seed and Supply on eBay.

What variety of potatoes did they purchase and what are their characteristics?

They purchased Irish Cobbler certified seed potatoes, which are an early maturing, medium-sized potato.

Are commercial potato varieties intended to grow up or down, and why does it matter?

Commercial potato varieties are intended to grow down rather than up because if they grow up, they can get green and the skins get hard if they get past the soil level.

What's the frugal prepper's take on the potato towers or growing potatoes in a bucket method?

They are skeptical of the potato towers or growing in a bucket method because of a lack of photosynthesis when vines are buried, leading to poor yield and they have not seen a video proving it to be successful.

Why does the frugal prepper believe these alternative methods of growing potatoes are not as successful?

They believe these methods fail because they do not allow enough sunlight and foliage to promote photosynthesis, which is crucial for the carbohydrate (and thus potato) production.

What is the process the frugal prepper is going to use to plant their potatoes?

The frugal prepper will cut the potatoes with several eyes, considering planting one eye per hole to maximize the number of potatoes in the ground. They mention the possibility of using sulfur to protect the cut parts against fungus.

Why might letting cut seed potatoes sit before planting help?

Letting cut seed potatoes skin over might help prevent disease once they are in the soil, acting as a barrier to protect the fresh cuts from fungi and other pathogens.